One thing I’ve always stood by is that people shouldn’t be shamed about how much climate activism they do, or what kind.
Everyone has their own lives and experiences and their own barriers to taking part in climate action. Besides, research has shown that shaming people and telling them what to do doesn’t work anyway.
Yet a recent experience had me feeling guilty and questioning my worth in the climate movement.
The meeting
I’m always looking for ways to weave more climate activism into my life. So, when I saw an online meeting recently on tackling the cost of living and the climate crisis, I decided to join.
It turned out that the event was about organising direct action in the form of civil disobedience, and boy oh boy was it intense.
Don’t get me wrong: protest is valuable. Direct action is needed, and in recent years it’s played an important role in highlighting the urgency of the climate crisis.
However, from the start, this meeting was uncompromising in its message, with speakers repeating that we must get involved in their campaign or there was no point in us being there. Within 5 minutes the words “at this point, you’re choosing between taking action and death” had been spoken.
I was torn. What they were proposing meant a threat of arrest and I honestly wasn’t prepared to put myself in that position. However, with a climate crisis so urgent I wondered whether I was being selfish. Was I effectively sentencing future generations, perhaps my future children, to a hellish, dystopian fate by not attending this event?
The answer is no
This answer didn’t come to me straight away. It came through wonderful, supportive communities who I was able to discuss my inner turmoil with.
Posting to the wonderful Life, Aligned community which I’m lucky to be a part of— I discovered through discussion that many members shared similar feelings.
Members shared some great resources, including an Instagram reel from the brilliant Mikaela Loach (go follow her if you don’t already). One thing she said stuck with me:
“Every single fraction of a degree of warming we prevent is lives, livelihoods, homes saved.”
Rather than the irreversible effects of climate change being like the simple flick of a switch, this is a lifelong effort. Every habitat, every water source, and every species we save counts.
Even if you just save the one that’s round the corner from you. In fact, that’s probably the one you’re most able to save.
This is a mass operation, where every action counts.
Finding your place
So if climate activism is a lifelong effort, maybe we should consider how’s it going to be a part of our lives. What works for us?
Not everyone taking part in civil disobedience faces the same risks. Black people are much more likely to be arrested and face more severe penalisation than white people. Some people can’t afford the financial repercussions of losing their job if they get arrested. Those with mental health issues would find it harder to cope with.
Currently, being on the frontline isn’t right for me. But I can write. And if we’re going to coordinate a mass effort to save the planet, we need to communicate about it effectively.
As the seminal Sell the Sizzle report tells us, we need to do that by inspiring people, not scaring them. And that’s where I hope that I can help.
If you’re wondering what your role is, see what Ayana Elizabeth Johnson has to say. Her climate action Venn diagram gives you a really handy framework for working out your role in the climate crisis.
See also this very handy Twitter thread from climate activist Tolmeia Gregory of the many, many roles in the climate movement:
Here are a list of skills and roles that are need for movements and organising, for those who have time and are able (a thread 🧵):
— Tolmeia Gregory (@tolmeia) July 16, 2021
I’d also recommend signing up to climate newsletter The Green Fix – Cass is always recommending many small (and big) ways you can make a difference.
In conclusion – you do you
There’s not one type of person that will stop the climate crisis. It needs all of us, doing our own thing, in our own little ways. And finding a community can really help. I’m sure I’ll always feel guilty or like I’m not doing enough, but Life, Aligned, the #EthicalHour community on Twitter and the LinkedIn sustainability community are wonderful, supportive places for me. If you’re not part of one of them already, why not come join us? I’m always happy to connect with like-minded people and chat about the big (and small) stuff.
See you on the climate crusade!